Dr. Felix Jabczenski graduated from St. Louis University Medical School. He underwent surgical training and was board-certified in 1962. He spent two years in military service in Arizona and begin practicing medicine in 1963, spending spent most of his medical career at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson, Ariz., before becoming a medical director at the county jail.

His brother, Dr. Marion A. Jabczenski, of Phoenix, Ariz., dedicated his life to helping diagnose and treat women with all stages of breast cancer, particularly striving to find early detection methods. A pioneer in his field, Dr. Jabczenski developed and patented numerous breast diagnostic and imaging tools. He also founded the Breast Cancer Foundation of Arizona. He graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine and began his career in Phoenix as a radiologist at Maricopa County Hospital and Doctor’s Hospital.

]]>http://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/2016/12/08/alumni-in-action-drs-felix-jabczenski-52-and-marion-jabczenski-53%e2%80%a0/feed/09852Students get behind-the-scenes look at TV newshttp://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/2016/12/07/students-get-behind-the-scenes-look-at-tv-news/
Wed, 07 Dec 2016 14:52:10 +0000http://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/?p=10764Sixteen Saint Mary’s University undergraduate college students had a front-row seat to news being made—literally. As part of an ongoing university leadership series, Saint Mary’s alumnus and news anchor Bill Lunn ’87 provided these Winona Campus-based students with the unique opportunity to tour KSTP-TV Channel 5 in St. Paul on Dec. 1 and view a […]]]>

Sixteen Saint Mary’s University undergraduate college students had a front-row seat to news being made—literally.

As part of an ongoing university leadership series, Saint Mary’s alumnus and news anchor Bill Lunn ’87 provided these Winona Campus-based students with the unique opportunity to tour KSTP-TV Channel 5 in St. Paul on Dec. 1 and view a portion of the evening broadcast.

Lunn guided the group through the station’s newsroom, highlighting the news, video, web and social media departments, and more. Students were able to observe staff working on stories and video for upcoming broadcasts and even setting up a live shot in the newsroom.

Lunn also provided valuable insight into life in the abbreviated TV news world—as well as the need to report accurately and fairly to help heal the division occurring in the U.S.

On the KSTP news set with alumnus Bill Lunn

“This has been a fascinating year for news,” Lunn said. “We had the death of Prince, the Jacob Wetterling case, the clearing of two police officers in Jamar Clark’s death, the charging of a police officer in Philando Castile’s death, and multiple protests.”

Unlike newspapers, television news is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) because broadcast space is limited, he said. KSTP needs to prove, every year, that it is a fair news source and worthy of an FCC license to broadcast.

When one current Saint Mary’s student asked about the increase in fake news stories circulating on social media throughout the election season, Lunn had this advice:

He added that in this day and age, the importance of social media for distributing news is undeniable. Lunn said he is required to post on Facebook at least three times per day. He does his best to keep up with comments and engagement on both Facebook and Twitter as well.

His best advice to future journalists was to get internships and make connections. He urged them to go out into the field with reporters and film their own stand-up version of the story as a great way to get experience.

“In TV news, a video portfolio is more important than a résumé,” Lunn said. “Get your work up on the internet. If you want to be a writer, start a blog.”

Some students were surprised to learn that Lunn was an English major, and not a journalism or communication major.

“I think students can pigeonhole themselves into thinking they have to pursue a certain type of career based on their major,” said Alexander Miller, a senior Public Relations major. “Bill Lunn showed us that is not the case.”

Junior International Business student Maria Antonieta Morales-Lozano appreciated the unique opportunity to get an inside look at the news. “Speaking to the media about the media allowed me to understand a new perspective on issues in our world, as well as learn new methods to discover and digest news,” she said. “Opportunities like this allow me to step out of my zone of familiarity and discover all the incredible insights that other careers and persons have to offer.”

]]>10764Preparing for Minnesota’s aging populationhttp://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/2016/12/06/preparing-for-minnesotas-aging-population/
Wed, 07 Dec 2016 03:39:37 +0000http://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/?p=10758In Minnesota, 60,000 people turn 65 every year. That means by 2030, the senior population will double, according to Face Aging MN. Are there sufficient care facilities and staff to care for this rapidly growing population? For Mary Boyde, LNHA, M’16, executive director of Sleepy Eye Senior Living Campus, hiring staff is one of her […]]]>

In Minnesota, 60,000 people turn 65 every year. That means by 2030, the senior population will double, according to Face Aging MN.

Are there sufficient care facilities and staff to care for this rapidly growing population? For Mary Boyde, LNHA, M’16, executive director of Sleepy Eye Senior Living Campus, hiring staff is one of her organization’s biggest challenges.

“Not as many people are going into healthcare, especially long-term care, these days,” Boyde said.

In order to combat the shrinking number of long-term healthcare workers, Boyde’s organization is focusing on creating a presence in local high schools. They offer students a chance to learn what it is like to work in healthcare by hiring them for after-school positions or on-job training programs.

Boyde is new to the field of healthcare herself. After years of operating her own sewing business, she was hired to do some work for a retirement community and had the opportunity to live on the site for two weeks. Boyde “felt at home” and knew she wanted to work with the elderly full-time.

“Ever since helping take care of my grandmother as a little girl, I’ve felt a special connection to older people,” Boyde said. “I’ve always had a desire to advocate for them.”

She enrolled in the online M.A. in Health and Human Services Administration program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and completed it in just one year. Boyde’s goal was to become a licensed nursing home administrator, and the program gave her the necessary educational preparation to be able to prepare for the required licensing exam.

“Every day I appreciate the education more and more,” Boyde said. “The instructors had worked in long-term care for many years and brought practical experience to the online discussions. The discussion forums also brought in people from various backgrounds and levels of experience—it was very helpful to hear different stories and examples of things they’ve experienced and how they handled it.”

In her current position as executive director, Boyde manages the care center, assisted living and independent living apartments, the home health agency that works with both assisted living clients and the community, and the adult day sites in Sleepy Eye and New Ulm. Although no two days are alike, she spends much of her time meeting with staff and residents to focus on their quality of life and safety. She also reviews finances, writes grant proposals, and visits the remote sites in order to unite the campuses.

Boyde stresses leadership as one of the most important skills she gained from Saint Mary’s graduate program.

“I make an effort to bring my team together and seek their opinions. It’s important to support the right culture in your work environment so it’s positive and people want to work there and enjoy their work. When staff is hard to find, it’s important to focus on retention,” Boyde explained.

Boyde feels strongly that Saint Mary’s program and faculty prepared her for this new career opportunity. “I got a job before I was even done and licensed,” she said.

Saint Mary’s has awarded nearly 1,000 master’s degrees from this program since its inception. To learn more about the M.A. in Health and Human Services Administration, visit the website.

]]>10758Alumni and friends invited to Saint Mary’s Christmas eventhttp://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/2016/12/06/alumni-and-friends-invited-to-saint-marys-christmas-event/
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 20:06:06 +0000http://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/?p=10752WINONA, Minn. — Ring in the holidays with Saint Mary’s University! What’s better than an evening that combines good food, cherished friendships, and beautiful music? Alumni and friends of the university are invited to the Winona Christmas event Saturday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. at the Alverna Center, 1175 W. Wabasha St.

The uplifting and joyous “Lessons and Carols” Christmas service, presented by the Saint Mary’s Choirs, will be held in conjunction with the Christmas gathering. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels.

]]>10752Tschida named to national coaches’ hall of famehttp://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/2016/12/06/tschida-named-to-national-coaches-hall-of-fame/
Tue, 06 Dec 2016 15:22:58 +0000http://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/?p=10746WINONA, Minn. — Elite. According to Dictionary.com, elite is defined as: • The best of anything. Look up the definition in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association “dictionary,” and elite is defined more specifically: • John Tschida. Friday evening, as part of the NFCA’s 2016 convention in New Orleans, Tschida’s elite status will once again be […]]]>

WINONA, Minn. — Elite.

According to Dictionary.com, elite is defined as:
• The best of anything.

Look up the definition in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association “dictionary,” and elite is defined more specifically:
• John Tschida.

Friday evening, as part of the NFCA’s 2016 convention in New Orleans, Tschida’s elite status will once again be on display, as the 1990 Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota alumnus and former head fastpitch softball coach will be inducted into the NFCA’s Hall of Fame.

“It is nice to be acknowledged by your peers—to get inducted is obviously an honor, but I know I still have to try to win my next game and winning is never easy,” said Tschida. “I am also smart enough to know that I never pitched us to a win or got the game-winning hit. I also wasn’t with the players in the off-season where they put in some quality hours in the weight room and cages.

“It really is a team award, and in this case, team is plural,” Tschida added. “As all coaches know, culture is bigger than the individual. Culture is created by the players, parents, managers, trainers, teachers, cafeteria workers, mail room workers, administrators, SIDs, athletic directors, field maintenance workers, admissions staff, coaches … . It is not always ‘cool’ to be the hardest worker or the one to bypass the fun bus to get some extra hits in, but student-athletes who have played for me made some real decisions to be great—not just good, but to be great. No one person can take credit for that.

“Great players make great coaches, and great coaches make good players great,” continued Tschida. “If you take the best jockey in world and put him or her on a donkey, I am pretty sure that great jockey will not win the Kentucky Derby. So it starts with the players. I think I have a passion for teaching and learning. I enjoy studying the game in great detail and enjoy the process of skill and mental mastery.

“As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, ‘I have a dream’— it wasn’t, ‘I have a thought.’ My thoughts become my passion—and I think that passion shines through when it is sincere.”

In 22 years of collegiate coaching, Tschida has won three national championships—first guiding Saint Mary’s to the 2000 national crown, then leading University of St. Thomas to NCAA titles in 2004 and 2005. He has coached more than 1,000 collegiate games and is the winningest NCAA Division III coach, active or retired, with an 856-157 career record.

And among all those victories, Tschida still holds the national championship run made by the 2000 Cardinals near and dear to his heart.

“I see myself as having a part in all the success my teams have had over the years, but it doesn’t happen without so many other people,” Tschida said. “To see how many people can be affected by a high level of commitment to something positive, look at the welcome home party Saint Mary’s put on when we won our national championship in 2000.

“Riding the bus down the Highway 14 hill—with a police escort—and turning into the campus to see signs saying, ‘Welcome Home National Champions!’ and then seeing so many people standing outside of the main entrance of campus was chilling,” added Tschida. “There were a lot of people who touched my life, but also the lives of all our players. Without them, our team wouldn’t have grown to be the people they became—to become eventual national champions.

“Saint Mary’s is a special place, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to grow with so many positive influences surrounding me—and I know our players felt the same way. It is very much a family atmosphere, led by the ever-servant Christian Brothers.”

Tschida may try to deflect the attention that comes with so much coaching success, but his efforts over the years have not gone unnoticed. He has been named MIAC Coach of the Year in 11 of his 22 years, national coach of the year once, and national coaching staff of the year once.

Friday’s NFCA induction will mark the fifth time Tschida has been inducted into a Hall of Fame—having already landed in the Saint Mary’s Sports Hall of Fame (in 2005 along with the national championship team, and in 2010 for his coaching accomplishments); Mancini’s St. Paul Sports Hall of Fame (2011); and the St. Paul Men’s Fastpitch Hall of Fame (2016).

“Like most people, I have that little voice in my head telling me to get to work and I tend to listen to it,” admitted Tschida. “But it was never about me, the individual, but about serving others. Ironically, as we serve others, we become more satisfied with ourselves.

“I am competitive and don’t like losing, but I am fortunate to have had coaches who cared about character—and it is my hope that the players we connect with leave as better people, never perfect, but always better.”

Renowned Professional FundraiserHometown: Baltimore, Md.Major: M.A. in Philanthropy and Development

Beginning in small nonprofits and then moving on to some of the nation’s most respected universities, Mike Morsberger has distinguished himself in the development profession. As vice president of development and alumni relations at George Washington University (2010-2014), he transformed the advancement office and culture of philanthropy on campus by launching an unprecedented $1 billion campaign and securing the two largest gifts in the university’s history ($50 million and $30 million). Prior to joining GWU, Morsberger served as vice president of development and alumni relations at Duke Medicine (2006-2010), and he was associate vice president of development and alumni relations for the University of Virginia Health System (2003-2006). Morsberger spent nearly a decade at Johns Hopkins Medicine (1994-2003), where he served as chief development officer of their comprehensive cancer center. In 2001, he landed a $150 million gift for cancer research and patient care. Despite the high expectations of each role, he is often best remembered for his laughter and personal attention to both staff and donors.

A self-taught artist, Bacon works in oils, acrylics, watercolor, pen and ink, and clay to create portraits, landscapes, murals, furniture, fiber arts, jewelry, and illustrations. She was featured in the 2014 edition of the Artist’s Catalog and has illustrated for Country Living Magazine. Her recent illustrations can also be found in the children’s books My Grandma Makes Lefse and How to Make Grandma Skarstad’s Lefse.

The public is invited to the show’s opening reception with the artist from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Valéncia Arts Center. The galleria will also be open during regular office hours: Mondays and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; as well as while evening and weekend classes are in session.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University, is a nonprofit organization, offering programming in dance, music, visual art, and theatre. Classes, lessons, workshops, and camps are offered for youth ages 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at the corner of 10th and Vila streets. For more information, go to smumn.edu/mca, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.

Students interested in geographic information science at Saint Mary’s don’t need a global positioning system to direct them to valuable, hands-on experiences in their field.

For years, the university’s GeoSpatial Services has been providing professionally mentored field experiences to students. The organization—which provides natural resource assessment, geographic analysis, and high-tech digital mapping services—works with both the public and private sector across a broad assortment of markets and disciplines across the U.S.

For example, pre-med major Christine Neumann is one of 15 undergraduate and graduate students currently classifying Minnesota wetlands in the state’s Northwest region on an $880,000 project for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The two-year wetland inventory project, which began in October, is the largest single project awarded to GeoSpatial Services (GSS) thus far.

Although Neumann plans to become a family practitioner, the sophomore from Cloquet, Minn., has been interested in geographic information science since a high school science fair project first piqued her interest.

“I did a project on Great Lakes invasive species using Esri’s GIS distribution mapping software—which Saint Mary’s is also using,” she said. Neumann added that the wetlands inventory project will give her good overall skills that will be valuable in her profession.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota has long been a leader in providing students with the educational foundation and practical experience necessary for successful careers and leadership positions in geographic information science, offering a master’s degree, graduate certificate, and undergraduate minor in the growing and in-demand field.

Under professional supervision, and working at the university’s Prairie Island Field Station in Winona, Saint Mary’s students in these programs—and others—will review digital aerial photos and LiDAR aerial laser measurements, interpret features on the ground, and delineate and classify current wetlands. The data will be used to update the Northwest Minnesota National Wetlands Inventory (NWI).

Hundreds of students have worked at the center during his 13-year tenure, observed David Rokus, NWI project manager for GeoSpatial Services. “They require a meticulous eye for detail, an understanding of the natural environment, and a willingness to learn advanced technology software. Most are in biology, geographic information science (GIS) programs, and the natural resources fields,” Rokus said. “But we’ve had students in business, criminal justice, the arts, information technology, education, and so on, who have done quite well.”

Graduate student Eric Lindquist of Winona, now in his second semester in Saint Mary’s Master of Science in GIS program, is also working on the wetlands project. Lindquist, who worked for 16 years as Saint Mary’s swim coach and facilities manager, is in a career transition. An avid hunter, he said: “I was looking for a big career change, and I have always loved maps and natural resources.” Lindquist said he enjoys “the blend of outdoor and indoor work.”

Working at GeoSpatial Services on the wetland inventory greatly enhances Lindquist’s academic learning. “The opportunity to actually do work in the field related to the degree I’m pursuing is huge,” he said. The other appeal for Lindquist is “the natural resource aspect of the project, and the potential for use of the data generated for conservation efforts.”

Reed Fry is in his first semester of the M.S. in Geographic Information Science program.

The Des Moines, Iowa native earned a degree in economics in 2014 and worked in the banking field.

“I’ve always had an interest in maps,” Fry said. “Now I’m exploring what I can I do to combine my background in economics with training in map-making and data interpretation.” A bonus, he said, is the opportunity to learn about wetlands and our local geography, as well as to meet professionals in the GIS field. “I’m hoping I can take these skills and either serve private enterprises or continue work in projects such as the NWI.”

The paid student interns—selected through a competitive application process—will gain experiential and hands-on learning outside of the classroom and deeper understanding of the NWI and its benefits. They will also benefit from the wetland ecology expertise of Saint Mary’s environmental scientists, and utilize state of the art geographic information system (GIS) technology.

Students will be fully trained and supported by GeoSpatial Services staff to meet the accuracy requirements of the federal wetland mapping standards. Part of that training in wetland hydrology, hydric soil characterization, and vegetation identification will take place at Saint Mary’s Cascade Meadow Wetlands and Environmental Science Center in Rochester.

More on the National Wetlands Inventory:

With the implementation of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) in 1991, state and federal agencies have been working toward a no-net-loss initiative in wetland quantity and quality, with the ultimate goal a net gain in wetland resources throughout Minnesota.

A large component of this no-net-loss initiative is establishing and updating wetland mapping, also known as the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). This information can be used by federal, state, and local governments, private industry, and non-profit organizations as baseline data for wetland regulation and management decisions, land use and conservation planning, environmental impact assessments, and natural resource inventories.

The existing wetland mapping for Minnesota is roughly 25 to 30 years old, and the Minnesota DNR has taken the lead to coordinate an update throughout the state. Saint Mary’s GeoSpatial Services has previously collaborated with the Minnesota DNR in creating, classifying, and ultimately updating the Minnesota NWI. From 2012 to 2015, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota completed wetland updates in the Southern Minnesota region.

More information on the National Wetlands Inventory for Minnesota is available online.

As senior chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York office, Father Paul Wierich’s assignment took him to the sites of two of the worst disasters in the metropolitan area: the crash of TWA flight 800 in 1996 and the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. He administered spiritual counseling to family members, law enforcement agents, emergency workers, and the injured, as well as administering the Last Rights to the victims at the scenes of the disasters. He is currently living in Palm Beach, Fla., and serves as FBI chaplain out of the Miami office; he also has been elected to the position of consultor to the provincial to the Passionist Eastern Province of St. Paul the Cross. He was professed a Passionist on March 8, 1964 and was ordained a Passionist priest in 1978. Father Wierichs serves as director of Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center and previously served as pastor of St. Ann’s Basilica and Shrine in Scranton, Pa. Father Paul’s missions over the past years included teaching high school in Philadelphia, running retreats for high school and college students, serving as retreat director at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House in Jamaica, N.Y., for 12 years, and as administrator at Shelter Island, which housed St. Gabriel’s Youth House (the only retreat house on the East Coast dealing with youths of all cultures and religious backgrounds).

]]>9846Newsum closes out career with 66th at NCAAshttp://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/2016/11/22/newsum-closes-out-career-with-66th-at-ncaas/
Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:24:18 +0000http://www.smumn.edu/newsblog/?p=10734LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jovan Newsum (Glendale Heights, Ill.) had a simple goal heading into his final collegiate cross country meet—make his last race his best race. And the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota senior did just that—and more. Newsum, competing in his second NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships, turned in the best eight-kilometer performance […]]]>

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jovan Newsum (Glendale Heights, Ill.) had a simple goal heading into his final collegiate cross country meet—make his last race his best race.

And the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota senior did just that—and more.

Newsum, competing in his second NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships, turned in the best eight-kilometer performance of his career—and the fastest time in program history—crossing the finish line in 24:14.0 to place 66th out of the field of nearly 280 competitors.

“I knew right from the beginning that the race was going to go out fast—much faster than conference or regionals—I just had to go with the flow, try and stay relaxed and composed, and push through it,” said Newsum, who now holds the top four fastest times in program history—including a sixth-place time of 25:38 at this year’s NCAA Central Regional, and a then-school-record 25:24 at the 2014 national championships. “I was pretty happy with the (end) result—a new school record in my final race, I can’t ask for much more than that.

“I’m so thankful for these last four years—it’s been a real blessing,” Newsum added. “I can’t thank Coach (Ward) Berndt, my teammates—and all the Saint Mary’s community—for their support, not just today, but over my entire career.”

North Central (Ill.) won the men’s team title, finishing with 60 points to easily outdistance runner-up SUNY-Geneseo (204). UW-Eau Claire was third (216), followed by Washington (Mo.) University (216) and CMS (251).

UW-Platteville’s Ian LaMere won the individual champion, touring the 8K course in 23:40.4 to edge Widener’s Ernie Pitone, who was second in 24:09.0. Tufts’ Tim Nichols was third (24:09.7), with SUNY-Geneseo’s Isaac Gacria-Cassani (24:18.0) and Allegheny’s Dan Cheung (24.18.9) rounding out the top five.